Cervical and craniofacial necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive disease process that
at times has subtle etiologies and physical findings. Involvement in the head and
neck is rare; however, when present it can have extensive morbidity and mortality.
High index of suspicion is paramount for early treatment and survival. We describe
the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical and craniofacial necrotizing
fasciitis. We detail the typical physical examination findings as well as diagnosis
based on imaging. We then describe in-depth the operative techniques needed to properly
treat these patients allowing for their best chance at survival from this deadly disease.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Molecular pathogenesis of necrotizing fasciitis.Annu Rev Pathol. 2010; 5: 1-31
- Necrotizing fasciitis.Am Surg. 1952; 18: 416-431
- Cellulitis incidence in a defined population.Epidemiol Infect. 2006; 134: 293-299
- Necrotizing soft-tissue infections: Clinical guidelines.J Burn Care Res. 2009; 30: 769-775
- Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: Management challenges in poor resource environment.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016; 273: 2779-2784
- Cervical necrotizing fasciitis due to bacterial tonsillitis.Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2005; 60: 177-182
- Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck.Head Neck. 2010; 32: 1592-1596
- Cervical necrotizing fasciitis—The value of the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing fasciitis score as an indicative parameter.J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015; 73: 2319-2333
- Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck: 34 cases of a single institution experience.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2010; 267: 415-421
- Pocket Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. 13 ed. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc, Alexandrai, VA2007
- The value of early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach in the management of necrotizing fasciitis of the neck and anterior mediastinum of odontogenic origin.J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015; 73: 918-927
- Report of a case of cervicothoracic necrotizing fasciitis along with a current review of reported cases.J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2009; 67: 419-423
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 23, 2017
Footnotes
Disclosures: The authors are employed by McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas at Houston. We have no financial disclosures or competing interests.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
